Emergency coronary stenting of unprotected critical left main coronary artery stenosis in acute myocardial infarction and cardiogenic shock

In the setting of acute myocardial infarction (MI) and cardiogenic shock in patients with significant unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) disease, treatment options are limited. In this report of a patient presenting in cardiogenic shock secondary to acute MI with critical LMCA stenosis, percutaneous coronary intervention with intra-aortic balloon pump support proved life saving.     

One-year clinical outcomes of protected and unprotected left main coronary artery stenting.

AIMS: To evaluate outcomes for left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenting and compare results between protected (left coronary grafted) and unprotected LMCA stenting in the current bare-metal stent era. METHODS: We reviewed outcomes among 142 consecutive patients who underwent protected or unprotected LMCA stenting since 1997. All-cause mortality, myocardial infarction (MI), target-lesion revascularization (TLR), and the combined major adverse clinical event (MACE) rates at one year were computed. RESULTS: Ninety-nine patients (70%) underwent protected and 43 patients (30%) underwent unprotected LMCA stenting. In the unprotected group, 86% were considered poor surgical candidates. Survival at one year was 88% for all patients, TLR 20%, and MACE 32%. At one year, survival was reduced in the unprotected group (72% vs. 95%, P<0.001) and MACE was increased in the unprotected patients (49% vs. 25%, P=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: In the current era, stenting for both protected and unprotected LMCA disease is still associated with high long-term mortality and MACE rates. Stenting for unprotected LMCA disease in a high-risk population should only be considered in the absence of other revascularization options. Further studies are needed to evaluate the role of stenting for unprotected LMCA disease.     

Outcomes of primary percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction with unprotected left main coronary artery occlusion

Background : We determined the in‐hospital and the long‐term outcomes of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute left main coronary artery (LMCA) occlusion. Methods : Between 1988 and 2009, 72 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) underwent primary PCI for unprotected LMCA occlusion. The short‐ and the long‐term outcomes of primary PCI in these patients were retrospectively evaluated. Results : Upon arrival, cardiogenic shock was observed in 33 (46%) patients and cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA) in 12 (17%). Twenty‐three (32%) required extracorporeal life support and 64 (89%) intra‐aortic balloon pumping. Although successful reperfusion was achieved in 60 (83%) patients, in‐hospital death was observed in 32 (44%). Multivariate analysis revealed predictors of in‐hospital death to be CPA on arrival (RR, 7.05; 95% CI: 1.28–39.0; P = 0.025). During 1.7 ± 2.9 years of follow‐up, 10 of the 40 hospital survivors died. All presenting CPA on arrival died within 2 years. Although the estimated survival of the all study patients was only 26.2% at 8 years by the Kaplan–Meier methods, those without shock/CPA on arrival showed nearly flat survival curve after 4 years. Conclusions : Despite performance of primary PCI, patients with AMI due to LMCA occlusion were associated with >50% in‐hospital mortality. Hemodynamic deficit upon arrival was the major determinant of their poor hospital outcomes. The hospital survivors, however, were associated with favorable long‐term outcomes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Emergency stenting of unprotected left main coronary artery after acute catheter-induced occlusive dissection

Left main coronary artery dissection occurs very rarely during selective coronary angiography, but it generally progresses to complete coronary occlusion. The traditional treatment of occlusive dissection of the unprotected left main coronary artery has been surgical. Percutaneous treatment has been sporadic and controversial. We report a case of iatrogenic occlusive dissection of the unprotected left main coronary artery during diagnostic coronary angiography, followed by successful stenting of the lesion.     

Primary angioplasty of unprotected left main coronary artery for acute anterolateral myocardial infarction

BACKGROUND: Mortality of acute unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) occlusion is very high. The objectives of this analysis were to determine the effect of primary angioplasty and the impact of cardiogenic shock on unprotected LMCA occlusion-induced acute anterolateral myocardial infarction (AAMI). METHODS: Of 1,736 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), 38 (2.2%) had LMCA occlusion-induced AAMI with Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow less than or equal to 2. All were given primary angioplasty. RESULTS: Of these 38 patients, 17 (45%) were discharged, and 21 (55%) died in-hospital. Cardiogenic shock was overt in 28 patients; 47.1% of the survival group and 95.2% of the mortality group (p=0.0008). On arrival, the survival-group had higher pH (7.40+/-0.10 vs. 7.30+/-0.14; p=0.013) and base excess (-4.5+/-3.9 vs. -10.4+/-6.0 mEq/L; p=0.0013). In the survival group reperfusion was successful in 100% of patients, as opposed to 57.1% in the mortality group (p=0.0020), and the incident of stenting was not different between the two groups (64.7% vs. 71.4%, p=0.66). Shock patients had lower successful angioplasty rate (67.9% vs. 100%, p=0.040), higher in-hospital mortality (71.4% vs. 10.0%, p=0.0008), and higher 1-year mortality rates (p=0.0064), than stable patients. All shock patients with failed angioplasty died, but the mortality rate was 57.9% (p=0.021) when angioplasty was successful. CONCLUSIONS: Patients presenting with AAMI, LMCA occlusion, and cardiogenic shock have poor survival regardless of primary angioplasty in conjunction with coronary stents. Nevertheless, primary angioplasty is a feasible and effective procedure, and it may save lives in this clinical setting.     

Revascularization for unprotected left main stem coronary artery stenosis stenting or surgery

For coronary artery disease with unprotected left main stem (LMS) stenosis, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is traditionally regarded as the "standard of care" because of its well-documented and durable survival advantage. There is now an increasing trend to use drug-eluting stents for LMS stenosis rather than CABG despite very little high-quality data to inform clinical practice. We herein: 1) evaluate the current evidence in support of the use of percutaneous revascularization for unprotected LMS; 2) assess the underlying justification for randomized controlled trials of stenting versus surgery for unprotected LMS; and 3) examine the optimum approach to informed consent. We conclude that CABG should indeed remain the preferred revascularization treatment in good surgical candidates with unprotected LMS stenosis.     

EuroSCORE as a predictor of death and myocardial infarction after unprotected left main coronary stenting

This study aimed to identify the independent predictors of death and myocardial infarction (MI) after unprotected left main coronary artery stenting with bare metal (n = 148) or sirolimus-eluting (n = 176) stents between January 2000 and March 2005. To identify independent predictors of death and nonfatal MI, all available parameters were evaluated. Systemic surgical risk stratification systems such as the EuroSCORE and Parsonnet score were included in the analysis. Clinical information at 9 months was available in 98% of patients (median follow-up 26.3 months). During this period, death/MI occurred in 42 patients (13%). Of the 5 deaths, 4 were related to cardiac and 1 to noncardiac causes. By multivariate Cox regression analysis, a high EuroSCORE (> or =6; hazard ratio 3.4, 95% confidence interval 1.2 to 9.6, p = 0.023), number of stents used (hazard ratio 1.8, 95% confidence interval 1.0 to 3.1, p = 0.042), and treatment with a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor (hazard ratio 8.6, 95% confidence interval 2.7 to 27.4, p <0.001) were independent predictors of death/MI. Areas under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of EuroSCORE and number of stents were 0.61 (95% confidence interval 0.52 to 0.70, p = 0.023) and 0.61 (95% confidence interval 0.51 to 0.70, p = 0.028), respectively. In conclusion, high surgical risk estimated by systemic risk stratification of the EuroSCORE appears to be associated with unfavorable outcomes of unprotected left main coronary artery stenting.     

Long-term (three-year) outcomes after stenting of unprotected left main coronary artery stenosis in patients with normal left ventricular function

The purpose of this study was to analyze long-term follow-up information from patients treated with stenting for unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis. Stenting of unprotected LMCA stenosis is often performed in selected patients, but the long-term safety of this therapy is not yet established. Between January 1995 and September 2000, 270 consecutive patients with unprotected LMCA stenosis and normal left ventricular function who underwent treatment at 4 clinical centers were included in this study. Data were forwarded to the coordinating center using a standard case report form. The procedural success rate was 98.9%. There were no deaths, 3 stent thromboses, and 3 Q-wave myocardial infarctions during the hospitalization. Angiographic follow-up was performed in 237 patients (follow-up rate 87.8%), and the restenosis rate was 21.1%. The reference size was an independent predictor of binary restenosis (odds ratio 0.543, 95% confidence interval 0.308 to 0.957, p = 0.03). During the follow-up period (32.3 +/- 18.5 months), there were 20 deaths (8 cardiac, 12 noncardiac) and 5 nonfatal myocardial infarctions. Target and new lesion revascularizations were required in 45 (16.7%) and 31 (11.5%) patients, respectively. The cumulative probabilities free from major adverse cardiac events were 81.9 +/- 2.4%, 78.4 +/- 2.6%, and 77.7 +/- 2.7%, respectively, at 1, 2, and 3 years. Combined coronary artery disease and postprocedural minimal luminal diameter were the significant predictors of major adverse cardiac events. Thus, the long-term prognosis of patients after stenting of unprotected LMCA stenosis was favorable in selected patients with normal left ventricular function.     

Emergency stenting of totally occluded left main coronary artery in acute myocardial infarction

We report a case of emergency stenting for acute occlusion of the left main coronary artery in the setting of acute myocardial infarction. Although stent implantation allowed prompt revascularization and successful immediate management of this life-threatening condition, subacute stent thrombosis occurred, requiring re-PTCA followed by surgical revascularization. This case suggests that stenting of an acutely occluded left main coronary artery may be a life-saving procedure but should only be used as a bridge to surgery rather than a definitive treatment modality.     

Percutaneous coronary intervention for acute myocardial infarction due to unprotected left main coronary artery occlusion

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) due to unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) occlusion is an uncommon clinical entity, but often leads to severe clinical deterioration, with devastating sequalae including fatal arrhythmias, abrupt and severe circulatory failure, and sudden cardiac death. Recent guidelines have promoted treatment with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) as a class IIa recommendation alongside coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), but the data are still unclear regarding optimal revascularization strategy for patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non‐STEMI (NSTEMI) with ULMCA culprit. PCI has the advantages of offering rapid reperfusion to critically ill patients, often those with prohibitive risk for surgical revascularization, with acceptable short‐ and long‐term outcomes. Recent studies demonstrate that PCI of the ULMCA is a viable alternative to CABG for appropriate patient populations, including those with ULMCA occlusion and those in cardiogenic shock, Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade 3, and significant comorbidities. A randomized trial comparing PCI with CABG is needed to clarify the ideal revascularization strategy, though the clinical picture of these critically ill patients may preclude such studies. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Stenting of unprotected left main coronary artery stenosis

Unprotected left main stenosis greater than 50% has traditionally been managed with coronary artery bypass surgery. There is now emerging evidence to support a percutaneous strategy adopting drug-eluting stents, especially in patients at high risk for surgery. This paper will review recent outcomes of both bare-metal and drug-eluting stent use for unprotected left main stenosis and summarise results of an Australian registry. Results of studies comparing the percutaneous approach to surgery will also be reviewed together with ESC and AHA/ACC current guidelines. Although percutaneous intervention of unprotected left main has been shown to be a safe and feasible procedure, unanswered questions remain. Large multi-centre randomised trials underway comparing percutaneous to surgical intervention will help clarify these ongoing issues.     

选择性左冠状动脉主干病变的介入治疗

目的冠状动脉旁路移植术(CABG)是多支血管病变血运重建的最佳方法,是无保护性左冠状动脉主干(LMCA)病变的标准治疗.本研究探讨无保护性LMCA病变介入治疗的疗效和可行性.方法总结分析1996年10月～2000年8月间20例住院的冠心病左主干病变患者接受直接支架术治疗.入选患者例行左室造影(LVEF>45%),冠状动脉血管成形术及其疗效评判采用常规标准,合并右冠脉严重弥漫狭窄病变或前降支(LAD)与回旋支(LCX)同时严重狭窄者不行该术.结果 20例中男17例、女3例,年龄42～71(平均64±12)岁,临床呈心绞痛Ⅱ-Ⅲ级,其中合并高血压9例、糖尿病(2型)1例.冠脉造影显示,左冠脉主干病变呈单纯狭窄者8例,其中近中段狭窄(50%～80%)者6例、开口狭窄(50%～60%)者2例,左主干夹层分离者2例,动脉瘤者1例,合并LAD或LCX病变(狭均>70%)者9例(狭窄50%～70%).全部患者左主干病变均进行直接支架术,其中6例伴LAD或LCX病变者先行PTCA或支架术后再进行左主干病变的支架置入术.置入左主干内的支架均为管状宽径短支架,16例为4.0 mm×9 mm(直径×长度)支架,3例为3.5 mm×9 mm支架,1例冠状动脉瘤者应用4.5 mm×9mm支架.左主干支架术成功率为100%,无残余狭窄或残余狭窄<10%,无任何并发症如支架血栓形成、急性心肌梗死、紧急CABG及死亡等.9例合并LAD(6例)或LCX(3例)狭窄者,先行LAD或LCX的PTCA术,其中3例PTCA术后残余狭窄<20%,5例残余狭窄30%～40%者中2例置入3.0×16mm支架、1例3.5×20mm支架、1例3.0×14 mm支架,1例LCX开口后狭窄(75%)者因PTCA后发生夹层放置3.5×12 mm支架,造影示夹层消失,无残余狭窄.冠状动脉瘤行带膜支架术者造影示瘤体消失,左主干管壁平整.随访1～4年,14例心绞痛发作消失、6例心绞痛复发但显著减轻(心绞痛Ⅰ级),后者有4例于术后半年～1年内复查冠脉造影提示早期再狭窄,其中2例单纯LMCA再狭窄者再次行冠脉血管成形术、2例LMCA合并LAD再狭窄者行CABG手术,无急性心肌梗塞或死亡等严重心脏事件发生,患者均能维持正常生活.结论本研究结果表明,选择性无保护性左冠状动脉主干病变支架术在临床上切实可行、疗效显著,可以是继CABG的另一治疗选择.     

Primary and elective stenting of unprotected isolated left main coronary ostial stenosis in acute coronary syndrome

Direct surgical angioplasty or coronary artery bypass graft has been done in patients who have left main coronary ostial stenosis. Recent reports have demonstrated that stenting of unprotected left main coronary artery stenosis has been attempted as an alternative to bypass surgery in selected patients with normal LV function. We report two patients with isolated left main coronary ostial stenosis who are undergoing primary and elective stenting, respectively. Major cardiac events did not occur during a 3-month follow-up. This study suggests that stenting of isolated left main coronary ostial stenosis in acute coronary syndrome is feasible and results in excellent outcomes.     

Endovascular stenting of an unprotected left main coronary artery stenosis in a heart transplant patient

Endoluminal revascularization of left main coronary artery vessels is considered to be relatively contraindicated because of a high procedural mortality and restenosis rate. This report describes the first successful case of endovascular stenting in an unprotected left main coronary artery stenosis in a heart transplant patient.     

Percutaneous coronary intervention for unprotected left main coronary artery stenosis

Hemodynamically significant left main coronary artery stenosis (LMCA) is found in around 4% of diagnostic coronary angiograms and is known as unprotected LMCA stenosis if the left coronary artery and left circumflex artery has no previous patent grafts. Previous randomized studies have demonstrated a significant reduction in mortality when revascularization by coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery was undertaken compared with medical treatment. Therefore, current practice guidelines do not recommend percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for such a lesion because of the proven benefit of surgery and high rates of restenosis with the use of bare metal stents. However, with the advent of drug-eluting stents (DES), the long term outcomes of PCI with DES to treat unprotected LMCA stenoses have been acceptable. Therefore, apart from the current guidelines, PCI for treatment of unprotected LMCA stenosis is often undertaken in individuals who are at a very high risk of CABG or refuse to undergo a sternotomy. Future randomized studies comparing CABG vs PCI using DES for treatment of unprotected LMCA stenosis would be a great advance in clinical knowledge for the adoption of appropriate treatment.     

Successful stenting of catheter-induced unprotected left main coronary artery dissection

Catheter-induced left main coronary artery (LMCA) dissection is a dramatic, although uncommon complication of diagnostic coronary angiography and requires prompt treatment. We describe a case of iatrogenic occlusive dissection of the LMCA during coronary angiography, treated by subsequent percutaneous recanalisation.